Morehead State students earn national theatre recognition
Several Morehead State University theatre students received awards and nominations from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF).
Heather Fannin, a senior theatre major from Morehead, received the Outstanding Directing Award from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Region 4. The KCACTF recognized her for her direction in the MSU theatre production "The Women of Lockerbie."
Written by Deborah B. Brevoort, "The Women of Lockerbie" is the true story of Pan Am Flight 103, shot down over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1987. The play follows the women of Lockerbie as she clashes with the U.S. government for the right to clean and return the personal belongings of the passengers to their families.
Fannin said after registering the show for the festival, a respondent for the festival comes to see your performance and provides feedback. After the show closed, Octavia Biggs, director of Morehead State's Little Theatre Company and Fannin's mentor, revealed her nomination for the Outstanding Directing Award. The only thing that shocked her more than getting nominated was receiving the award as the winner.
"I was completely overtaken with emotion," Fannin said. "I was so proud of not only the work I had accomplished but all of the efforts the actors did to make this possible. To put so much passion and love into something and to watch others recognize my work is an amazing feeling."
In addition to Fannin's recognition, other MSU theatre students received nominations by KCACTF for their work in "The Women and Lockerbie." Hadley Pierce (junior theatre education major, Paducah) and Summer Little (junior theatre education major, Hi Hat) both earned nominations for the Irene Ryan Acting Award, while Natalie Shoemaker (sophomore theatre education major, Winchester) received recognition for her role as state manager of the production.
All these students are eligible to attend the KCACTF Region 4 conference in Albany, Georgia, in February 2024. They will compete against other college students within the seven states in our region. Should they choose to move forward, they could potentially compete for a place at the national competition at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and receive a substantial scholarship.
"I am so honored to be able to be recognized with two very talented and hardworking actors. They have continuously put in so much time and effort into our department, and it does not go unnoticed," Fannin said. "And for Natalie Shoemaker, who was my stage manager and is also nominated, we worked very closely during this entire process and were continuously devoted to putting on the best possible production in the best environment for everyone. I cannot wait to see what life has in store for these talented women."
To learn more about Morehead State theatre and dance programs, email mtd@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2473.
